KP, Gotabhaya eye on Tamil children by hijacking LTTE institution names

[TamilNet, Friday, 27 April 2012, 01:24 GMT]
Following a court order to close down two KP-run centres for war orphans in Vanni for their mismanagement, Selvarasa Pathmanathan alias KP, functioning in the custody of Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, and the SL Defence Establishment plan returning with their ‘child management’ activities by exploiting the names of the former social institutions of the LTTE, news sources in Vanni said. By using the names, they also aim at claiming funds from international donors and attracting money from gullible sections in the diaspora, the news sources further said. The district judge of Mullaiththeevu, Mr. Prabhakaran has recently ordered the closure of the KP-run orphanages after finding serious mismanagement and fearing abuse of children. But on Thursday, backed by SL Military, KP opened another orphanage at Mu’l’liyava’lai, in the name of a former LTTE facility.

Two KP-run orphanages in Jaffna and Point Pedro were also closed down earlier and the children were transferred to other safe centres after courts found them mismanaged. The orders were made despite threats from sources close to SL Defence Establishment.

The two KP-run centres closed down in Vanni were repeatedly warned about their lack of basic facilities and over-crowded accommodation. But the management of the centres, citing its close connections with the SL Defence Establishment, used to threaten the civil welfare officials pointing to such issues.

Even when a case was filed at the Mullaiththeevu District Court, the management of the centres failed to answer queries. The district judge, finding valid reasons, ordered the closure of the orphanages.

In retaliation, KP now thinks of reviving his activities through opening new centres, using the names of the former LTTE institutions for children and elderly, such as Bharathi Chi’ruvar Illam, Kaantharoopan A’rivuch Choalai, Chegnchoalai, Punitha Poomi etc.

He plans six to ten such centres, news sources in Vanni said.

The SL Defence Establishment that usually frowns at any traces of the LTTE has given special permission to KP to revive these names, the sources further said.